Friends in Fiction discussion
THE LAST BOOK YOU READ
April in Paris by Michael Wallner – 5***** Audiobook narrated by Paul Michael. A young German corporal falls for the lovely daughter of a French bookseller in 1943 occupied Paris. This is an impossible relationship for she is dedicated to the Resistance. And yet…. No, this is not a hearts-and-flowers romantic escapade; it’s gritty and real, full of hardship and heartache. It’s also a suspenseful novel. I was engaged from beginning to end.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Railway Children by E Nesbit – 4**** This is a delightful classic of children’s literature. Uprooted from their suburban home to a smaller country cottage, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis make the best of things and try their best to not add to Mother’s worries. I love how inventive they are in their play, and how they display loyalty, courage and compassion. I’d read Nesbit’s Five Children and It series when I was in middle school, but never read any of her other works. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Lord of the Flies by William Golding – 5***** A group of British schoolboys is marooned on a tropical island when their plane crashes. With no structure other than what they themselves create and impose, the group descends into survivalist mode, with violent results. It’s a fascinating and disturbing story. The audiobook narrated by the author, which is a shame. His voice is far too old for these young boys and his delivery was distracting. Still, the novel is gripping, and deserving of the highest rating.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne – 4**** This classic adventure tale was first published in 1870. Verne creates an imaginative and wondrous world. There are scenes that had me literally on the edge of my seat, but there were also long passages detailing the scientific classifications of underwater life that just about had me nodding off. Nemo is a marvelous villain – a seductive genius who can be charming, and yet with a deep-seated hatred of man and a skewed view of the world. I wish I knew more of his back story, of what made him what he is in this novel. James Frain did a fine job narrating the audiobook.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller – 4**** Originally titled What Was She Thinking. Barbara narrates as she records her observations of her friend and fellow-teacher’s affair with an underaged male student. Sheba is obsessed with the affair, emotionally stressed and not thinking straight. But the reader slowly becomes aware that Barbara is also emotionally damaged- equally obsessed with her friendship with Sheba and jealous of Sheba’s relationships with others. What Barbara reveals about herself in recording Sheba’s story is more subtle and interesting than the story she is trying to tell. She is dangerous woman to have as a “friend.”
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paula by Isabel Allende – 5***** Evocative, heart-rending, luminous, suspenseful, triumphant – I cannot think of enough adjectives to describe this beautifully written memoir. Allende lays her soul bare on the page as she attempts to write her family history at the bedside of her comatose daughter, Paula. The work moves back and forth from Allende’s history to the events in Paula’s hospital room. It took me a while to get into the book; the writing is very dense. But Allende’s gift for storytelling is evident. Her experiences may be unique, but her reactions are universal.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin – 4**** This is a beautifully written debut novel that exemplifies “show, don’t tell.” Just as you get to know your neighbors or friends over decades, one event and reaction at a time, the reader gets to know Talmadge over the course of the novel. A man of few words he rarely directly reflects on the guilt he carries over his part in events. Rather, his actions speak to his deep-seated pain and desire to make amends. Coplin also writes with eloquence about the land and the time period. Mark Bramhall does a marvelous job voicing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – 4**** A classic of the genre, Shirley Jackson’s novel has been scaring people since 1959. Four people come to Hill House to investigate whether there is an occult presence. They get more than they bargained for, and Eleanor, a meek young woman with a past that includes a poltergeist, is particularly affected by the House. Bernadette Dunne does a marvelous job narrating the audio version. Get a bag of popcorn, turn the light low, and listen – if you dare!
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – 4**** A classic of the genre, Shirley Jackson’s novel has been scaring people since 1959. Four people..."
Oh, funny. I haven't thought about this book since high school when my drama group performed the play! I was meek Miss Eleanor! A fun one!
Mod
Three and a Half Virgins. Was entertaining for a while, and had some great potential, but it kind of fizzled into silly. Then it just ended with no real ending! I hate that!
The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier – 4**** Two men meet by chance and discover they are so identical in appearance they could pass for one another. After a night of drinking, John awakens in Jean’s pajamas, and finds that his French counterpart has stolen his identity and car. There’s nothing to do but take on the mantel of the Comte de Gue until the “practical joker” returns. Du Maurier writes wonderfully complex psychological suspense, and this is a stellar example. The way in which John muddles along as “Jean de Gue” reveals much about his doppelganger. The plot is full of twists and turns, which kept me interested and intrigued from beginning to end.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Darlene wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – 4**** A classic of the genre, Shirley Jackson’s novel has been scaring people ..."
OH, I bet that WOULD be fun to perform!
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – 4**** Audio book narrated by Don O’Grady. Genetics professor Don Tillman has decided to marry – once he finds the perfect wife with the use of the extensive questionnaire he’s developed. But when he meets Rosie Jarman he sets aside the Wife Project to help her with her Father Project. As the project continues a friendship develops. This is an endearing, tender romantic comedy that had me laughing aloud in places. A delightful surprise!
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra – 4**** This short novel follows two couples in a Taliban-run Kabul. Khadra writes with poetic detail about a city which the residents no longer recognize as their own. They struggle to make sense of a culture that is at once familiar and foreign. This is a tragedy, and things will not end well for all these characters. But I feel that I have gained a little understanding of the situation by reading this novel, and for that I’m grateful.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly – 5***** What a magical, wonderful story! This is a quest, a fairy tale, a horror story, a coming-of-age story, and a psychological study all in one. I love David, and I loved how Connolly incorporated so many life lessons in this imaginative tale. The adventures David has while in this “other” land are familiar and yet disturbingly different. Connolly is known as a writer of mystery thrillers, and his skill at writing a fast-paced, suspense-filled narrative shows here. I was immediately engaged in the story and couldn’t put it down.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa – 5***** A beautifully elegant gem of a novel that explores a unique friendship between a Housekeeper, her son and the brain-injured Professor of mathematics whose memory is limited to 80 minutes. The slow way in which the Housekeeper, Root and the Professor get to know one another is framed by his lessons on the poetry of mathematics and the elegance of prime numbers. Cassandra Campbell does a fine job narrating the audio book; even when reading an equation she makes it sound like poetry.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn – 4**** On a fictitious island nation off the coast of South Carolina, the people pride themselves on their literacy and writing. A monument in the center of town immortalizes the pangram “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” in ceramic tiles. But when one of the letter tiles falls off and breaks, the Council decrees that the letter should no longer be used. It’s just one letter. But then another falls… and another. This is a wonderful little satire on the use/abuse of power, but it is also a love letter to all of us who love and cherish words.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Orchard by Larry Watson – 4**** What a gem of a novel. This is a character-driven story involving two couples: Sonja and Henry House who live and work on the House orchards that Henry's family has farmed for generations, and Henrietta and Ned Weaver, a wealthy and famous painter and his long-suffering wife. When Sonja begins to pose for Weaver jealousies flare. Beautifully written, and so evocative of time and place. Of course, I know Wisconsin's Door County Penninsula very well, so I'm sure that helps.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
We Are Water by Wally Lamb – 5***** Intricate and nuanced, Wally Lamb has given us a portrait of one American family’s disintegration and coming back together. Rather than use a single narrator, Lamb gives voice to various characters, switching point of view from chapter to chapter. All these characters suffer trauma and loss, and struggle to find their way back to hope. There were some very distressing scenes dealing with pedophilia and hate crimes. But we should be bothered by those issues and facing what makes us uncomfortable is a theme of this book. The audio book is narrated by a cast of voice artists, including the author himself.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld – 4**** I was expecting a somewhat light look at a fictional first lady. What I got was a nuanced, complex portrait of a woman who found herself in a very public position. I liked that Sittenfeld takes the reader back to Alice’s childhood and introduces us to this young, quiet but inquisitive girl. While her life takes some unexpected turns, Alice remains true to herself, confident in her opinions, compassionate and thoughtful. She is no less strong because she is quiet. Kimberly Farr does a fine job performing the audio version. She has good pacing and really brought Alice to life for me.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – 4**** This was not the light, fluffy chick-lit romance I thought it would be. Rather, it is a wonderful, complex and compelling story of two very different people who meet in extraordinary circumstances and deeply affect one another over a period of six months. I did wonder if the title would be better reversed - YOU before ME. The audiobook is narrated by a team of voice artists, each taking on the perspective of a different character.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leeway Cottage by Beth Gutcheon– 4**** I really enjoyed this look at a marriage through the eyes of two very different people. The story covers several decades, though much of the action is concentrated during the World War II era. Gutcheon uses multiple points of view and moves back and forth in time as people remember past events, so I’m left feeling a little as if I’ve only scratched the surface, rather than gotten the full story. I am reminded that there are many stories in the people around me; that what we see of a person – even one we think we know well - may be only the tip of the iceberg.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Bartender’s Tale by Ivan Doig – 4**** Ivan Doig has a way of exploring the everyday events of a person’s life and making them seem epic in scope. In this marvelous novel he gives us a precocious, if worried, twelve-year-old narrator who hero worships his father. Rusty is a great observer and while his imagination can get ahead of the facts, he can also be pretty astute when judging character. I loved reading about these two and the family unit they create. I really love the way Doig paints the landscape; the sense of place is so strong that the setting is practically a character.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin – 4**** Someone is murdering children in 12th-century Cambridge England. King Henry II sends for a medical expert from Salerno; he doesn’t expect to get a woman – a mistress of the art of death. This is not only a great mystery, and but a fine work of historical fiction. I was invested in the story and in Adelia’s work from the beginning. The murders are pretty ghastly, and there are a few scenes of real terror and graphic violence. But the strong central character is what really held my interest and I’ll definitely read more of the series. Rosalyn Landor does a fine job performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
There was a story in there, but it got buried in all the other stuff.
The Secret Piano by Zhu Xiao-Mei – 4**** Subtitled: From Mao’s Labor Camps to Bach’s Goldberg Variations, this is a memoir that speaks about the irrepressible human spirit and the power of music and art to elevate and inspire. I was completely fascinated and couldn’t put down Zhu’s recollections of her time in China. The book did bog down somewhat for me after Zhu arrived in Paris, but it’s still a good read.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Old Man Who Read Love Stories by Luis Sepulveda – 4**** This is a story of the jungle, green hell and Eden; of the Shuar Indians, who know how to live in harmony with it; of the machines and settlers and gold prospectors and gringos who have invaded it. Nature, out of balance, becomes vengeful and violent. The writing is poetic and atmospheric, with a great sense of place. I couldn’t help but think of my father – the way he knew the land and respected the animals who made it their home.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Anne of the Island by L M Montgomery – 4**** I never read these books as a child, but I am certainly enjoying them now. Anne is a marvelously engaging character and the interactions of the college roommates seems spot on perfect for students of that age. Susan O’Malley does a fine job performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers – 4**** PVT John Bartle met PVT Daniel Murphy in basic training, and promised Murph’s mother that he’d bring the 18-year-old back from Iraq. The novel relates Bartle’s experiences in Iraq – the horror, excitement, confusion, mental and physical stress. His internal struggle to come to grips with his actions, his regrets, his losses is what makes this novel so powerful. There were sections of this book that had me completely immersed in the narrative, but I think that I, like John Bartle, was looking for answers where there are none. As a result, the ending was less than satisfying for me.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – 5***** I’ve been hearing about this book forever, but never read it before. I’m so glad I finally got to it! It is an absolute delight. I love Milo – a boy “who didn’t know what to do with himself” – and his spirit of adventure. What I find particularly delightful is the way Juster plays with words and ideas. Introducing readers (young and old) to some lofty ideas and imparting more than a little wisdom along the way. It’s been over fifty years since this book was first published, but I feel certain it will remain popular for at least another fifty years.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson – 3*** A gypsy fortune teller predicts that Rose Mae Lolley will either have to kill her husband or be killed by him. That wake-up call sets her on a mission to face her past and find her future. Jackson writes good contemporary fiction featuring Southern women in unusual circumstances. It was a fast read and I was interested in finding out how the story would unfold, but I was somewhat disappointed in the ending, and I didn’t really connect with the central characters. This is not Jackson’s best work, though it shines a light on a subject that needs our attention.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – 3.5*** A research scientist is sent by her Minnesota pharmaceutical company to Brazil to find out what has happened to the company-funded project. There are some passages that are beautifully written, and evocative of place, but there are also sections of dialogue that are stilted and abrupt. I could never quite make sense of Dr Marina Singh – was she a strong, accomplished woman, or a passive automaton doing what she’s told whether it makes sense or not. Patchett brings up several issues that book groups will enjoy discussing. Hope Davis does a fine job performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Crazy by Linda Vigen Phillips – 5***** Told entirely in verse, this is a moving look at one teen’s efforts to come to grips with an issue that no one wants to talk about. Her own ups and downs as a teenager are fairly typical, but what sets her apart is her mother’s mental illness. My heart about broke for her as she struggled to understand her mother’s illness and bravely sought answers to her most fearful question. In an afterword the author states that this work is partly based on her own experiences as a teen in the early 1960s. The result is a very personal, emotional story.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik – 4**** The Napoleonic War is the framework for this fantastical adventure tale that includes not only naval battles, but air combat aboard dragons. It’s a rollicking good adventure/war story. Temeraire is a dragon unlike any I’ve previously encountered in literature. He’s intelligent, a keen judge of character, loyal to a fault, intensely curious, brave and playful. Capt Laurence is truly an officer and a gentleman – principled, duty-bound, intelligent, a fair taskmaster, kind to animals, and a true leader. I love how the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire develops over the course of the novel. I’ll definitely read the next in the series.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Talk about STRONG WOMEN ....
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein – 4**** American ATA pilot Rose Justice is captured by the Nazis and sent to the concentration camp at Ravensbruck, where she meets an unforgettable group of women. I liked how Wein showed the women banding together and forming “families” who looked out for one another. Make no mistake, however, there are horrific scenes in this book, albeit this is a young adult novel and not as graphic as an adult novel might be. The audiobook is capably performed by Sasha Pick.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Matchmaker of Perigord by Julia Stuart – 3*** Barber Guillaume Ladoucette decides to convert his barbershop into a matchmaking agency. But the thirty-three residents of his small French village already know – and dislike – one another. Stuart crafts a delightful – and delicious – comedy of manners. The villagers are quirky, the blind dates hilariously awkward, the descriptions of food are scrumptious, and love triumphs in the end! A fun read.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez – 4**** The residents of one Delaware apartment building have different backgrounds but a common goal: a better life in America. The narration switches among various characters from chapter to chapter, sometimes exploring the same situation from a different perspective. The central focus is on the two teenagers – Mirabel and Mayor – and their families. I found myself so caught up in these characters’ dreams that when tragedy struck I was as stunned as they. Still, there is hope at the end. I’ll be thinking about these “unknown Americans” for a long time.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent – 4**** This novel is based on a true incident in history. In January 1830 Agnes Magnusdottir became the last person to be executed in Iceland. Kent imagines the interactions Agnes had with the farm family that housed her prior to her execution. I loved the way that these relationships slowly thawed while the landscape slowly froze, and liked the way Kent began each chapter with either some historical document of the period or a poem or excerpt from a saga. The ending, however inevitable, is written in a way that still builds suspense and left me breathless. Audio capably performed by Morven Christie.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Adding a little NONfiction/Memoir here ...
My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme – 4**** A delicious memoir. I really got a sense for the determination with which Julia mastered the art of French cooking, and for the enthusiasm with which she set out to impart that love of French cooking to the rest of the world. I liked the photos that were included, but wish that more of them had actual captions. Flo Salent Greenberg does a fine job of the audio, but be sure to get the unabridged version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni – 4**** In her debut collection of short stories, Divakaruni explores the ways in which women raised with traditional values try to balance the realities of a new existence in America. I love short stories and there are some really great ones in this collection. The women may be different form one another, and very different from me, but I was able to connect to each and every one of them. We share the struggle between living up to others’ expectations and following our own dreams.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson – 3*** I hardly know what to write. In many respects the book is as mysterious and unbelievable as the dictatorship that is North Korea. Johnson’s nonlinear timeline and use of obfuscation, lies, half-truths and prevarications keeps the reader complete off balance – obviously mimicking what the citizens of North Korea must endure. And yet … I found it compelling and fascinating. Tim Kang, Josiah D Lee and James Kyson Lee do a wonderful job narrating the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile – 3*** In her debut work Baszile explores one woman’s efforts to find herself by returning to her family’s roots – a sugar cane farm in southern Louisiana. It’s a good premise but an uneven effort. I liked Charley, but wanted more about her relationships. Thought her brother was an unnecessary distraction for most of the book. And the ending was a little abrupt. An okay debut.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – 5***** This is a modern fable; a story of faith, moral courage, destiny and friendship. Covering the period from 1953 to the late 1980s, Irving uses the narrator – Johnny Wheelwright – to comment on the politics of the day, social mores, the role of faith and religion in our communities, and the miracle of enduring friendship. I loved Owen Meany almost as much as Johnny did. He could be exasperating, but there was something so mature and wise and loving about him that simply drew me in. Joe Barrett does a fine job performing the audio version. His unique voice for Owen Meanty is very effective.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Joyland by Stephen King – 3*** Say “Stephen King” and most people think horror, but this book gives a nod to the old-fashioned crime novel. It is more than just a “hard case crime” story; it is a ghost story, a coming-of-age story, a tender romance, and a serial-killer mystery all rolled into one. I thought the ending was somewhat contrived, but I sure enjoyed the ride.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale – 4**** An expanded story based on the Grimm’s fairy tale of the same name, about a princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen. Hale includes the basic elements of most fairy tales – love, betrayal, wicked enemies, loyal helpers, a little magic, a handsome prince, and a heroine I wanted to see succeed. The audio book was narrated by Cynthia Bishop and a large cast of actors who took on various supplementary roles, resulting in a dynamic and exciting performance.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriraty – 4**** Three women’s lives converge as a result of one man’s secret. I will admit that the multiple points of view did confuse me at first, as the narrative switched from Cecelia to Tess to Rachel. I couldn’t help but consider “what would I do” if I were in the position of any one of these women. And some of their actions and reactions took me by surprise. Caroline Lee does a fine job performing the audio version of the book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day by Winifred Watson – 4 **** What a delightful comedic romp! I just love Miss Pettigrew, who is in turn amused, shocked, befuddled, brilliant, compassionate, composed, or flustered. The ebullient and casual Miss LaFosse is a perfect counterpoint for Miss Pettigrew, who is restrained and formal. I was reminded of Damon Runyon’s stories, although with a bit more class.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – 4 **** Well, I don’t know why I waited so long to read this Newbery Award winner. It was really delightful. It’s a coming-of-age story, a ghost story, a thriller, and a murder mystery. It has all the best of traditional story-telling techniques – friendship, adventure, obstacles the hero must overcome, villains, an innocent child, and more than one surprise. The audio book is masterfully performed by a talented cast of voice artists, including the author.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
To Begin Again by Jen Knox – 3*** This is a short-story collection wherein the scenarios, characters and locations differ, but they all share a theme of life-altering decisions. Most of the stories are rather dark – not too many happy endings here. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed reading the collection.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Friends in Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord (other topics)The Angel's Game (other topics)
The Summer Before the War (other topics)
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (other topics)
Glory Over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House (other topics)
More...
This is the first memoir in a series of six which together formed Angelou’s autobiography. In this work she chronicles her childhood from about age three to age 17. This is a wonderfully told first-hand account of a young woman’s coming of age, as well as of the changes brought about in the country from 1930-1945. She was an extraordinary woman, and this is an extraordinary memoir.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...